Dracaena plant named ‘Lauren’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dracaena deremensis  plant named ‘LAUREN’ particularly characterized by its green leaves, closest to RHS 137A, with distinct green-white variegated streaks, closest to RHS 157A and RHS 157B, running longitudinally parallel (streaks same on front and back of leaf); leaves measuring about 35 cm to 45 cm in length and slightly pendulous in overall shape; annual growth rate of about 50 cm; strong, thick stem, measuring about 2 cm to 4 cm in diameter and yellow-green in color, closest to RHS 145C and RHS 145D; and plant height of about 185 cm and plant spread of about 55 cm to 75 cm, when grown in 35 cm size container.

Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: Dracaena deremensis.

Variety denomination: ‘LAUREN’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena plant, botanically known as Dracaena deremensis, of the family Agavaceae, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘LAUREN’.

Dracaena is a monocotyledonous tropical foliage plant which can be produced as a single or multi-stemmed plant for interior use or outdoors in shade in zones 9 or 10 only.

The new Dracaena ‘LAUREN’ originated from a naturally occurring branch mutation of Dracaena deremensis ‘DR9901ART’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,814). The new Dracaena ‘LAUREN’ was discovered and selected by the inventor, William Vasquez Ulate, in June of 2006 as a single plant within the progeny of the stated mutation in a controlled environment in Palmares, Alajuela, Costa Rica.

Asexual reproduction of the new Dracaena by vegetative, air layer, or rooted cuttings was first performed in June of 2006 in Palmares, Alajuela, Costa Rica, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘LAUREN’, which in combination distinguish this Dracaena as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Green leaves, closest to RHS 137A, with distinct green-white         variegated streaks, closest to RHS 157A and RHS 157B, running         longitudinally parallel (streaks same on front and back of         leaf);     -   2. Leaves measuring about 35 cm to 45 cm in length and slightly         pendulous in overall shape;     -   3. Annual growth rate of about 50 cm;     -   4. Strong, thick stem, measuring about 2 cm to 4 cm in diameter         and yellow-green in color, closest to RHS 145C and RHS 145D; and     -   5. Plant height of about 185 cm and plant spread of about 55 cm         to 75 cm, when grown in 35 cm size container.

Plants of the new Dracaena ‘LAUREN’ differ from plants of the parental cultivar, Dracaena deremensis ‘DR9901ART’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,814) in the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Parental Cultivar New Cultivar Dracaena deremensis Dracaena deremensis ‘DR9901ART’ Characteristic ‘LAUREN’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,814 Mature Leaf Overall background green, Green leaves, closest to but color (Upper closest to RHS 137A, with between RHS 137A and RHS side) variegated green-white 139A, with yellow-green streaks, closest to RHS margins, RHS 144A to RHS 157A and RHS 157B. 144B Margin is yellow-green, RHS 144A. Leaf thickness Thicker, 1/64^(th) inch Thinner, 1/100^(th) inch Leaf texture More leathery and more Less leathery and less ribbed ribbed Stem thickness Thicker, 0.5 to 1.5 inch Thinner, 0.25 to 1.25 inch Stem color A blend of yellow-green, Green, darker than RHS closest to RHS 145C and 139A,with yellow-green RHS 145D.The clasping margins nature of leaves gives the stem a variegated appearance. Internodes Closer internodes at 1 Farther internodes at 2 cm to 2 cm cm to 3 cm

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Dracaena ‘LAUREN’ is the parental cultivar, Dracaena deremensis ‘DR9901ART’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,814) as described in the foregoing Table 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Dracaena ‘LAUREN’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of ‘LAUREN’. The accompanying photographs show the distinctive green-white variegated foliage streaks of a mature, typical plant of ‘LAUREN’, following growth under appropriate growing conditions with colors being as true as possible with illustrations of this type.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical plant of ‘LAUREN’ in a 26 cm pot, at 3 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a top view perspective of a typical plant of ‘LAUREN’ in a 26 cm pot, at 3 months of age.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘LAUREN’ at 3 months of age.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Dracaena ‘LAUREN’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Dracaena ‘LAUREN’ as grown in a polyethylene-covered greenhouse in Apopka, Fla., under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Plants of the new Dracaena ‘LAUREN’ are grown with an average day temperature of 90° F. and an average night temperature of 75° F. Plants of the new Dracaena ‘LAUREN’ are grown under light conditions of about 80% shade from natural sunlight and about 80% relative humidity. Plants of the new Dracaena ‘LAUREN’ are applied 1) a liquid 24-8-16 fertilizer weekly, and 2) a granular Nutricote 18-6-12 fertilizer every 100 days. No growth retardants are used when growing plants of the new Dracaena ‘LAUREN’.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. The photographs and descriptions were taken during the summer season of 2009 in Apopka, Fla., when outdoor day temperatures averaged 90° F. and outdoor night temperatures averaged 75° F. The age of the plants described is 3 months, after planted from rooted cuttings.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Dracaena deremensis. -   Parentage: Dracaena deremensis ‘DR9901ART’ (patented, U.S. Plant     Pat. No. 13,814) -   Optimal growth conditions:     -   -   Light intensities.—80% shade.         -   Temperature.—Day: Range of 75° F. to 95° F.; average 85° F.;             Night: 75° F. to 85° F.; average 80° F.         -   Temperature tolerance.—Tolerant to a low temperature of             about 50° F. and tolerant to a high temperature of about             100° F.         -   Fertilization.—A liquid 24-8-16 fertilizer weekly, and a             granular Nutricote 18-6-12 fertilizer every 100 days.         -   Growth regulators.—None. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Vegetative, by air layer or rooted cuttings.         -   Rooting habit and description.—Easy to root. Roots are             mostly fibrous and finely branched. New emerging roots are             white, RHS 155, and mature roots are greyed-orange, RHS 165B             and RHS 165C.         -   Time to initiate roots.—About 10 to 15 days at 80° F.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 30 to 45 days at 80°             F. -   Plant:     -   -   General appearance and form.—Height: About 300 cm when grown             in ground; About 185 cm when grown in a 35 cm size             container. Spread: About 65 cm to 90 cm (single stem) when             grown in ground; About 55 cm to 75 cm when grown in 35 cm             size container. Form: Monocot; leaves whorled, leaf bases             wrap around the stem. Shape: Round.         -   Growth rate and habit.—About 50 cm annually; upright.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Stem.—Quantity per plant: About 3 per 26 cm container; about             4 per 35 cm container. Length: About 300 cm when grown in             ground; About 185 cm when grown in 35 cm size container.             Diameter: About 2 cm to 4 cm. Shape: Cylindrical. Texture:             Thick (waxy and rubbery) and ribbed. Color: Yellow-green,             RHS 145C and 145D. Strength: Strong. Internode length: About             1 cm to 2 cm. -   Foliage:     -   -   Quantity.—About 25 leaves per stem at 80 cm.         -   Arrangement and attachment.—Single, alternate; leaves             whorled; leaf bases wrap around the stem.         -   Leaf length.—About 35 cm to 45 cm.         -   Leaf width.—About 6 cm to 10 cm.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Slightly pendulous, lanceolate.         -   Apex shape.—Acuminate.         -   Base shape.—Sheathing.         -   Margin.—Entire, slightly undulate, leaf rolled ½ cm at apex.         -   Margin color.—Yellow-green, RHS 144A.         -   Texture.—Upper and Under Surfaces: Leathery, longitudinally,             lustrous, furrowed at main vein.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Color of mature and immature leaf upper and under             surfaces.—Overall background green, closest to RHS 137A with             variegated green-white streaks, closest to RHS 157A and RHS             157B. Margin is yellow-green, RHS 144A. Variegated streaks             longitudinally extend the entire leaf and are the same on             the upper and under surfaces.         -   Venation.—Pattern: Several longitudinally, variegated             streaks parallel to leaf veins, main vein furrowed. Color:             Upper and under surfaces: Green-white, RHS 157A to 157B.         -   Leaf fragrance.—None. -   Inflorescence description: No flowering observed. -   Reproductive organs: No reproductive organs observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance, tolerance and susceptibility to     stresses, pathogens and pests is very good. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: Resistance, tolerance and     susceptibility to stresses, pathogens and pests is very good. 

1. A new and distinct Dracaena deremensis plant named ‘LAUREN’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 